Groundwater protection policies and practices in the United Kingdom.

Abstract

This paper summarises the main objectives for groundwater protection and describes the system adopted in the UK. Groundwater is essential as a source of drinking-water, even in countries with high rainfall; it is used for irrigation and industrial purposes; and it often comprises the base flow of rivers under dry conditions. Water quality is threatened by industry, landfill leachate, agricultural contamination and mine drainage. Quantity is threatened by over-abstraction. The UK uses a risk-based concept of vulnerability to pollution and over-abstraction. A groundwater protection policy has been devised providing guidance on those activities which require control in groundwater protection zones, reflecting the vulnerability of the aquifer. The zones make use of the travel time of contaminants to the water abstraction point. All major activities such as water abstraction, waste disposal, and spreading of agricultural materials may thus be assessed in terms of their risk to the groundwater, and suitable precautions may be taken. Groundwater, once polluted, is an asset which is difficult and expensive to replace. Vulnerability assessment is a useful tool to assist in its protection.